The Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres meet Monday in MLB action from Petco Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Braxton Ashcraft for the start here and Ashcraft is 13-5 with a 3.68 ERA and 159 strikeouts this season. Robbie Ray will start for the Padres and is 11-7 with a 3.20 ERA and 117 strikeouts this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to bounce back from a 4-0 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out to sit at 63-69 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head on the road for a series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pirates Lose 3 Straight
Oneil Cruz has 70 hits including 10 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 97 hits with 15 doubles, 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 142 hits with 22 doubles and 55 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 123 hits with 26 doubles, 27 home runs and 80 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 127 hits with 31 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs and 66 RBIs as well this season.
San Diego Padres Recap
The San Diego Padres come into this game looking to add on to their 8-1 win over Minnesota last time out to sit at 71-60 this season. After this series, the Padres will head on the road for a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Padres Win 3 In A Row & 7 Of Last 10
Jackson Merrill has 119 hits with 20 doubles, 21 home runs and 66 RBIs while Gavin Sheets has 74 hits with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 46 RBIs as well on the year. Fernando Tatis Jr. has 146 hits with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 67 RBIs and Xander Bogaerts has 93 hits with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. Manny Machado also has 103 hits with 20 doubles, 24 home runs and 72 RBIs as well on the year.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ San Diego Padres Betting Trends: August 24, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Robbie Ray Record this season: 11-7 ERA: 3.20
- Home Record: 6-2
- Last 5 against Pirates: 3-0
Why the San Diego Padres will win
- The Padres have won each of their last eight home games.
- The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine road games.
- The Padres have covered the run line in each of their last seven home games.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven games as favorites against NL West opponents.
- The Padres have won the first inning in three of their last four night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last nine road games.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six road games against NL West opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Braxton Ashcraft Record this season: 13-5 ERA: 3.68
- Road Record: 7-4
- Last 5 against Padres: 0-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The favorites have won each of the Pirates’ last six games.
- The Padres have lost four of their last five night games against the Pirates at Petco Park following a win.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in eight of their last nine night games against the Padres following a road loss.
- The Padres have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Padres have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games against NL Central opponents.
- The Padres have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Padres’ last four games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Pirates’ last four games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Padres’ last eight games as home underdogs against National League opponents.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last four games.
San Diego Padres Player Prop Facts
- Jackson Merrill has hit a home run in three of the Padres’ last four home games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Robbie Ray has recorded a win in six of his last seven home appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Robbie Ray has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances against the Pirates.
- Ty France has recorded two or more hits in each of the Padres’ last six home games against NL opponents.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. ranks 5th in the league in Hits (146) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in each of the Pirates’ last two night games.
- Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a win in each of his last six appearances with the Pirates as road favorites.
- Braxton Ashcraft has recorded six or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances with the Pirates as road favorites.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 14 games as favorites against NL West opponents.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.307) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Padres rank T27th in the league for triples this season (11).
- The Padres rank 25th in the league for hits this season (1030).
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1152).
- The Pirates rank T29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1247).
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres Prediction
I’m on the Padres here. Ashcraft’s pitched well in his last couple of starts, but I’m still not 100% sold that he’s all the way back from his struggles over the last month prior. San Diego has hit righties well all season and is playing the better baseball right now. Pittsburgh’s been up and down against left-handed pitching and I look for San Diego to take care of business here. Give me the Padres.